Judicial review

Judicial review is a legal term to describe the ability of the courts to subject executive and legislative actions to review (and possible invalidation). In some countries, only executive powers can be judicially reviewed by a courts - in the United Kingdom and New Zealand for instance, the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy means that legislation cannot be set aside. In many countries however, notably in the US, the courts play a role in determining the constitutionality of legislation.

Review of executive decision making

In Commonwealth countries, decisions made by Ministers and other members of the executive branch can be subjected to a judicial review. The court will check to ensure that the decision maker has not acted ultra vires (beyond their authority), with any procedural impropriety, or in breach of any legitimate expectation. The courts will not impose their own decision, but rather will ensure that the process that the decision maker followed was legitimate.